Lahore, 16 September 2025 – A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at Nishtar Colony Police Station, Lahore, under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), against a young Christian man, Asher Rasheed Bhatti, and his paternal uncle, Paul (Samuel) Masih, who is currently residing in Thailand.
The complaint, lodged by local resident Muhammad Umair, alleges that a Facebook account under the name “Asherbhatti” contained blasphemous sketches and derogatory content against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Umair, who runs a bookshop named Old Book Centre in Awan Market, stated that he discovered the content on 14 September 2025 at around 10:00 AM. He further alleged that Asher’s uncle, Paul Masih, had commented on the posts, intensifying what he described as “incitement of hatred and injury to the religious sentiments of Muslims.”
Police registered the case as FIR No. 6285/25, determining that the offence fell under Section 295-C PPC. The case has been referred to the Investigation Wing for further inquiry. Section 295-C, one of Pakistan’s most controversial laws, carries a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of defiling the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In a twist to the case, Asher Bhatti has filed a counter-complaint with the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Lahore, claiming that he is innocent. He alleged that his uncle, Samuel Paul, maliciously created a fake Facebook account in his name, using his photograph to post the offensive material and frame him.
Bhatti, who identifies himself as a law-abiding citizen and an Altar Boy at St. Matthew’s Church, Awan Market, stated in his application that he holds “deep respect for all Prophets, religious figures, and all religions.” He further claimed that Samuel Paul had been issuing threats through his personal Facebook account, causing him severe mental distress and placing his life at risk. He has requested authorities to block the fake account and initiate legal action against his uncle.
Following the FIR, Bhatti has reportedly gone into hiding at an undisclosed location for his safety, while the situation in Nadeem Chowk, Awan Market remains tense. Both the police investigation and the NCCIA inquiry are ongoing.
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement), said: “This is yet another tragic example of how Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are being grossly misused. Asher Bhatti is innocent, yet he has been forced into hiding because of a false accusation. Sadly, his case is not unique – thousands of innocent people, including women and children, are currently languishing in prisons under false blasphemy charges. Several others have been murdered by vigilantes before their trials could even take place.”
“The misuse of Section 295-C has destroyed countless lives and continues to create fear and insecurity among Pakistan’s minorities. Social media is increasingly being weaponised to fabricate cases, settle personal scores, and inflame communal tensions. Unless urgent reforms are made to stop this abuse, more innocent lives will be ruined. The government must act now to ensure that no one can exploit these laws for personal gain or religious persecution.”
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About CLAAS:
Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) is an interdenominational organization working for Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith in Pakistan. CLAAS works for religious freedom, to stop persecution of Christians in Pakistan because of blasphemy and other discriminatory laws, raise awareness, disseminate information and highlight the plight of Christians on an international level. CLAAS provides free legal aid to victims of religious intolerance in Pakistan, as well as shelter and financial support for the victims and their families.